7/2: Salvage The Finale

Prev. Gm:

Boston Red Sox (50-36) @ Tampa Bay Rays (51-32) Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-1, 3.21) @ Scott Kazmir (7-3, 2.28) 7:05 PM EDT | Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL) TV: NESN/ESPN RADIO: WRKO 680, SBN 1150

GAME NOTES:
- Kazmir's last five starts: 30 IP, 24 H, 11 BB, 34 K, 12 ER, jump in ERA from 1.40 to 2.28.
- Kazmir at home this season: 36.1 IP, 19 H, 15 BB, 39 K, 1.24 ERA
- Kazmir vs. Red Sox in his career: 105.1 IP, 86 H, 51 BB, 123 K, 2.82 ERA
I'm still not concerned. It's early July and the lead is only 2.5 games. 3.5 would make me slightly more nervous, especially with Tampa's dominance at home and 1-2-3 punch in their rotation. Beating Kazmir is no small task. Hopefully the bats can finally come alive tonight and back up Matsuzaka early. Otherwise, the Sox will head to New York on a five-game losing streak and Tampa holding all of the confidence and momentum.